The holiday season in New England is just magical! From dazzling light displays and decorated mansions to enchanting villages and holiday markets, New England offers some amazing ways to experience the holiday season. With so many festive events around the region, it’s the perfect time for making new holiday traditions and cherishing old ones.
Here are some of my favorite holiday activities that help make the season memorable. And best of all, most of these events are free to attend!
Get Dazzled by Twinkling Lights
What better way to get into the spirit of the holidays than with thousands of twinkling lights!
Christmas Festival of Lights
The La Salette Shrine in Attleboro has a spectacular holiday light display you don’t want to miss!
The Christmas Festival of Lights Celebration features over 300,000 lights spread across 10 acres. I learned about this amazing display of lights in 2021 and we have made it a point to add it to our list of holiday activities each year.
As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll enjoy the sparkling lights, seasonal displays and a very impressive Christmas Nativity scene. The displays are themed around peace and hope and some tell the story of St. Nicholas. There is even a Carousel onsite for the kids to ride which gives a bit of a carnival feel with the smell of fried dough and popcorn in the air.
The lights are on every night from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., November 23, 2024 through January 1, 2024, including Christmas night!
The Christmas Festival of Lights is open to the public and absolutely FREE (even parking)!
Insider Tip: Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. If you do visit on a weekend, be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds and parking issues.
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, 947 Park St., Attleboro, MA
Winterlights
Winterlights is another dazzling holiday event you don’t want to miss. The Trustees of Reservations hosts this annual event which features millions of twinkling lights, festive displays, and immersive experiences across 3 historic sites: Naumkeag (Stockbridge) The Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens (North Andover) Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate (Canton)
Each site offers something unique, from holiday-themed activities and food vendors to warming stations and photo opportunities.
Insider Tip: Tickets typically sell out, so get them early! Tickets range from $20-30 for adults depending on the day you visit and $7-$12 for kids.
Winterlights runs through late November through early January.
Attend a Lobster Trap Tree Lighting
Gloucester celebrates the holidays with a variety of events throughout December. My favorite event is the Lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree which is built entirely from lobster traps and decorated with painted buoys and garlands.
In 2023, Gloucester celebrated 400 years and to commemorate the event this unique tree was created with 400 lobster traps. Buoys painted by the local children decorate the outside and add a special touch. Step inside and you will be in awe when you look up and see all the twinkling lights – it’s simply magical!
The 2024 tree lighting is Saturday Dec 14, 2024 from 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM EST and will be on display throughout the holiday season.
Location: Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
Take a Christmas Carol Trolley Ride
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a such a classic story! But you won’t hear any Bah-Hum Bugs when you step aboard the “Christmas Carol Trolley” for a night that blends holiday spirit with theatrical storytelling.
Ride along with Scrooge through the historic streets of Salem, while you hear Dickens’ story come to life. The trolley is decked out in holiday decor, and actors in period costumes bring Charles Dickens’ classic tale to life with humor, music, and plenty of holiday cheer.
As you ride through town, you’ll pass by some of Salem’s iconic landmarks and may even get a visit from some ghosts that you pick up along the way.
The trolley makes a few stops during the 1 hour tour. First you’ll disembark at the Gallows Hill Museum and Theater where the fun continues with a few skits. You’ll even get to visit a cemetery.
This is such a unique way to see Salem’s historic district dressed up for the holidays and is perfect for couples, families, or anyone looking for a fun, festive outing.
Insider Tip: Book tickets early—this popular event often sells out quickly!
Location: Salem Trolley Tours – Tour departs from Timeless Life Treasures, 68 Wharf Street, Salem, MA.
Sing Christmas Carols at a Monastery
The Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude is one of New England’s most iconic holiday festivals, drawing visitors from near and far to experience this coastal town’s festive spirit.
The event is held the first 2 weeks in December each year and kicks off with a tree lighting in Dock Square and the lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree in Cape Porpoise.
The festival continues with a jam-packed schedule of festive activities like craft fairs, parades, and house tours. One of the most treasured events is the caroling at the Franciscan Monastery.
This was such a serene and magical experience that really captures the true essence of the season.
It was absolutely amazing to see thousands of visitors gather under the stars and sing along to holiday songs amid the twinkling lights of candles. I highly recommend participating in this community event at least once.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to get a spot upfront near the outside alter as there are thousands of people who flock to this event. The Monastery is about a 10-15 minute walk from Kennebunk/Kennebunkport bridge.
Location: St. Anthony Franciscan Friary, 28 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, ME
Tour a Mansion All Decked Out for the Holidays
If you appreciate elegant holiday decor, adding a tour of one or more of New England’s festively adorned historic mansions to your holiday plans is a must.
Here are my favorite spots where you can get a glimpse into how America’s wealthiest families celebrated the season.
Newport Mansions
In Newport, RI, several of the opulent mansions are transformed into a holiday wonderland with thousands of lights, magnificent Christmas trees, and lavish holiday displays.
Each holiday season, The Breakers, Marble House, Chateau-sur-Mer and The Elms are decked out in grand style, each offering its own unique holiday charm. The Breakers also has “Sparkling Lights” where you can walk the grounds through twinkling light displays for an additional charge.
Location: Newport Mansions – Newport, RI
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Castle Hill on Crane Estate
On the North Shore, Castle Hill on Crane Estate transforms into a festive retreat. Each room is decorated with a themed display that reflects the estate’s rich history. There are also seasonal events you can attend, such as concerts and Christmas Tea.
Location: Crane Estate – 290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA
Insider Tip: Purchase Tickets early as they tend to sell out.
Check Out Some Creative Gingerbread Houses
Portsmouth’s “Vintage Christmas” is a month-long celebration that transforms the historic coastal town into a holiday wonderland.
One of the event’s highlights is the annual Gingerbread House Contest. This is where locals show their creativity and build intricate and whimsical gingerbread houses for all to see. Each year there is a different theme.
Creating gingerbread houses has always been a tradition at our house so it’s fun to see these creative masterpieces made of all sorts of edibles.
The Gingerbread houses are on display at Discover Portsmouth Historical Society through the end of the year. Stop in to stroll through the gallery to admire these creations and vote for your favorites. Admission is Free but donations are appreciated.
Other Vintage Christmas events include an illuminated parade and tree lighting at Market Square. The Strawberry Banke Museum also hosts its annual Candlelight Stroll.
Location: Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH
Stroll through an Enchanted Village
The Enchanted Village is a holiday wonderland featuring vintage animated displays, beautifully decorated trees, and twinkling lights. Originally part of Boston’s former Jordan Marsh department store, this nostalgic display has been preserved by Jordan’s Furniture on display in their Avon, MA store since 2010.
Visiting this beautiful Victorian-themed display at Jordan Marsh was a holiday tradition for my family when I was young. So, being able to enjoy it with my children now is such a treat.
You will step back in time as you meander through the village which resembles what life was like in the 1940s and 1950s. Holiday music and “snow” are even piped in to add to the festive ambiance.
After you make your way through the village, you’ll enter another winter wonderland with added attractions. Here you can skate on Enchanted Ice, an indoor skating rink, be dazzled by a laser light show and even play some reindeer games. On your way out, don’t forget to grab some famous Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins.
To learn more about this beloved exhibit, check out my Enchanted Village is One of the Best Christmas Traditions Around Boston.
Insider Tip: Visit early in the season to avoid long lines and get the best photo opportunities. Visiting the Enchanted Village is Free but there is a charge for the added attractions.
Location: Jordan’s Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr., Avon, MA
Shop at a Holiday Market
The holidays aren’t complete without some shopping so if you’re looking for some unique, locally made gifts, head to a Holiday Market.
If you’re in the Boston area, the SnowPort Holiday Market is a great place to get into the shopping spirit. This European-style outdoor market is located in Boston’s Seaport and has over 120 local businesses where you can browse to find some one-of-a-kind gifts and treats.
SnowPort is a lot more than just a shopping destination – it’s an experience! Besides shopping, you can grab some treats from the food trucks and enjoy hot chocolate or some cocktails at the pop-up bars. There is also live holiday music from local artists on some days.
Adjacent to the market, you’ll find interactive games and a magical atmosphere decorated with twinkling lights and festive decor.
SnowPort is an ideal spot to start your holiday shopping! Grab the family or a friend and go for a fun night out during the holiday season.
Insider Tip: SnowPort is quite popular so bring your patience as you will likely need to wait in line to get inside.
Bottom Line
New England offers a variety of unique holiday traditions that help to capture the magic of the season. These experiences are a just a few of my favorite New England holiday activities. Since many of these events are mostly outdoors, be sure to dress warm because it does get cold.
Do you have a favorite New England tradition to share?
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